Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-12-01
ORANGES AND LEMONS.
italian Growers Afraid That America WI
Grow Her Own Fruit.


The telegraph stated q few days ago
that the Italian Ministry of Commerce
had been making inquiries into the ex-
tent of the orange and lemon produc-
ton of the United States, especially
regarding its effect upon Italian COM
merce in these fruits. Further infor-
nation regarding this matter was OBJ
tanned from Charles Dondero, secre-
tary of the local Italian Chamber of
Commerce.
Mr. Dondero was found busily en-
ployed wrapping up the monthly bull
letins published by the chamber, which
are sent all over the United States
wherever there are Italian merchants.
About four hundred papers are also
sent regularly to Italy to Italian mer-
chants there. The papers are printed
in italian, and contain mass of in
formation regarding California and its
productions, and informing intend
ing settlers where to locate.
did the chamber give the Italian
Government information about our
citrus fruits?" the reporter asked.
Yes" replied Mr. Dondero, "they
wrote to us about it, and we gave them
considerable information. We did not
use the exact language quoted in the
dispatch, however. The dispatch says
that it was reported that California
can supply the American market
throughout the year. The yearly
orange crop of Italy is very great and
several millions of people live upon the
orange and lemon business alone.
Italy exports about $50. 900, 900 oranges
II year to this country, and about $780,
900, 900 lemons. Most of the lemons
are from Sicily. But few of the oranges
come to this coast, nearly all being alb
sorbed by the Eastern market. A few
lemons come here, however, not more
than 1000 boxes a year. Last year
nearly 5000 boxes were imported, but
that was above the average.
The Italian lemons are much
harder than ours, and will keep for
eight months and stand trip across
the ocean They will then be nearly
as good rs new. Our lemons, how
ever, with the best of care will not last
more than four or five weeks. In the
East they always talk about the Med
iterranean citrus fruits, but nearly all
OF them are from Italy.
"Have any of our or anges been ex-
ported to Italy?'
"Oh, yes, but only in small amounts
more as samples than any thing else.
The Italians have prom ounced them
very good. From the amount of capi-
tai invested in the business there, and
from the fact that the business is one.
of the leading industries of the coun-
try. you can readily sec why the Gov
ernment in behalf of the Italian mer-
chants, should make these inquiries.
They desire to ascertain Just how the
American production is going to affect
their trade. | have no doubt whatever
that California can produce ten times
as many oranges us it does now,
for all the way from Los Angeles to
Shasta they can be raised. This is
peculiarly fortunate State, you must
know, for we have not the heavy winds
and frosts of Florida, and tho soil is
we'll adapted to raising oranges. The
amount of the orange production of
California Is, in fact, as yet undeter-
mined. Nobody can tell it. In hun
dred years it may be a hundred times
greater than it is now."
"How do our lemons compare with
those of other countries?"
They rank about third. First
comes the Scilian, then the Austria
liam, then the Californian, and then
the Mexican. The Mexican lemon
will not last as long as the Californian.
Our lemons will not last to Europe.
The lines will last longer, but are not
used as much as the lemon. The
lemon trade is one of the greatest re-
sources of Sicily. The Italian Govern
ment. as you may see from the steps
already taken by it, is doing all it can
to assist the Italian trade in oranges
and lemons, and is acquiring all in
formation regarding matters which
might affect it.-San Francisco Chrora-